Jeremy Lin Shoes and All-Star Weekend Invitation: Linsanity Rising

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In just one week, Jeremy Lin has gotten his own shoes and been invited to make an appearance during NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando.

Linsanity is gaining momentum as Jeremy Lin's status as an all-star is being elevated. Not only did Nike decide to launch a pair player-exclusive shoes for Lin, but he was extended an invitation to join this year's all-star weekend activities.

Jeremy Lin was invited to play in the Rising Stars Challenge and will also make an appearance in the slam-dunk contest. He will also take part in the Haier Shooting Stars competition. Lin barely missed out on consideration for the popular rookie-sophomore scrimmage game, because of his short span in the limelight.

According to ESPN, NBA commissioner David Stern would not make a special consideration for Lin as a special late addition to the BBVA Rising Stars game that features rookies and second-year players. The NBA was pressured to add Lin after he scored 136 points in his first six starts, the most in NBA history.

The Rising Stars Games will feature two teams of nine players each, compiled by TNT analysts and former all-stars, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.

Lin was selected by Shaquille O'Neal third overall in a mock draft. O'Neal said he was surprised Lin was available.

"I'm surprised Charles didn't take Lin, so I had to take him," O'Neal said.

Barkley congratulated fellow analyst Kenny Smith for making Lin available for the draft, saying he should've never been denied by the NBA.

"I want to congratulate you for putting Linsanity on the board," Barkley said. "It was really stupid to how the league denied him in the beginning. It's the best story in sports."

Fans want to see Lin in the NBA Sprite Slam-Dunk contest, but his teammate, Iman Shumpert, has already joined the contest and the NBA only allows one contestant per team. Lin will still make an appearance though. He will be assisting Shumpert with his slam-dunk routine, similar to how Baron Davis assisted last year's slam-dunk champion, Blake Griffin.

In just seven games as a starter, Lin is undefeated and averaging 24.4 points and 8.1 assists. His popularity is booming as the NBA's first Tawainese-American player and an unselfish team player.